Preclinical Imaging Research

The UCSF Physics Research Laboratory maintains several small animal imaging resources in collaboration with other groups. These imaging resources are housed in the MicroPET/CT, MicroSPECT/CT, MicroCT, and Optical Imaging Core Facility at China Basin.

The imaging sytems that are offered under this umbrella are:

  1. microPET/CT: Inveon dedicated PET docked with Inveon Multimodality system (CT only) (Siemens Medical Solutions)
  2. microSPECT/CT: VECTor4/CT (MILab B.V.)
  3. Bioluminescence/fluorescence imaging system: IVIS 50 (PerkinElmer)
  4. Fluorescence molecular tomography system: FMT 2500 (PerkinElmer)

We have a video presentation of the introduction to our microPET/SPECT/CT and optical imaging core (through the Core Technology seminar series on September 27, 2012). 

In addition, for most small animal imaging applications, we work closely with the Cancer Center's Preclinical Therapeutics Core.

All SPECT/PET/CT/Optical/MRI imaging procedures can be performed as IACUC/LARC Standard Procedures Imaging with SPECT/PET/CT in Mice and Rats, Optical Imaging in Mice and Rats, and MR Imaging (small animals).  UCSF RIO has a direct link (a button to check) to these imaging SOPs while creating a new/revised IACUC protocol. 

Sample microPET/CT image (124I-MIBG in a mouse model of neuroblastoma)

Sample microSPECT/CT movie (99mTc-HMPAO SPECT overlaid on CT)

Sample microCT images (vasculature of a mouse brain, partially filled with barium sulfate - 11 micron pixel size; liver tumor visualized with IV iodinated contrast agent)

mouse brain vasculature